THE CITY REBORN FROM THE ASHES OF AMERICA'S MOST DISASTROUS FOREST FIRE

Badgers Beat Rangers in OT

Issue Date: November 29, 2017

Niagara Survives Tough Battle With Wausaukee

The Niagara Lady Badgers traveled to Wausaukee Tuesday night for a conference showdown with the Rangers. After two halves of play the teams were tied, and the Badgers eventually squeeked out the overtime win 38-37.

Wausaukee's Maddison Renikow got things started with a layup for the first points of the game. Niagara responded with an Allison Wells three point bucket for the early 3-2 lead.

Courtney Messar fired in a free throw to tie things up before Niagara's Jessica Oratch sank one of her two free throws.

Renikow brought her Rangers to a 5-6 deficit after a couple of well placed free throws. With nine minutes left in the half Madelyn Schlies posted a layup followed by a steal and breakaway play that sent her to the line. There she made both free throws for the 9-9 tie.

Niagara's Ki'Eircidy Hannah brought her team within two as time was running out in the half, but a two point bucket by Kaila Backhaus and another by Madelyn Schlies gave the Rangers a 17-11 lead going into the locker room.

During the second half the Badgers were able to hold the Rangers at bay with 11 points while blasting out that all important 15 points needed to send the game into overtime. During the extra frame the Badgers were able to out score the Rangers 6-5.

Niagara was led by Oratch and Hannah who both piled up 10 points for their team. Hannah bagged a three pointer during the game as well. Allison Wells pitched in seven to the effort.

Madelyn Schlies did the bulk of the leg work for the Rangers with 14 points on the night, including two three point buckets. Renikow gave the rangers eight while Messar and Kaelyn Schlies both chipped in four points each.

Lena Goes 1-1 in Home Tourney

The Lena Wildcat girls' basketball team hosted a weekend tournament where they were able to go 1-1 in tourney play. On Friday Lena went up against Sevastopol, falling 42-34. Elcho beat Stockbridge on the same day 61-39. Resuming play on Saturday, Lena bagged a 60-41 win over Stockbridge while Elcho took tournament honors with a 58-35 handling of Sevastopol.

Against Stockbridge the Lena girls were led by Ally Demmith with 16 points on the night. Demmith had seven in close buckets and was two of two from the free throw line. Kylee Huberty posted 15 points coming off seven two point buckets and one free throw.

Crivitz Crushes Suring in Home Opener

The Crivitz Wolverines had no issue handling the home court Suring Eagles Tuesday night as they sprinted their way to a big first half lead 30-15 before icing the game over the second for the 52-30 victory.

Last season the Wolverines were more than happy to find a gem of a player in Chloe Gruszynski, who finished the season as the conference's MVP as a freshman. Well, Tuesday night it appeared that Gruszynski never lost her stride as she cruised to a game leading high of 14 points. Over the first half she led her team to a 30-15 lead thanks to nine points. Kieren Gribben got six over the first.

Suring struggled to keep pace as their leading first half scoring was only able to muster five points.

Sianna Guns and Gribben finished the evening strong with five points each over the closing frame.

Suring was led by the efforts of Kylee Steizer with 11 points and Paige Krueger with nine.

Following Gruszynski on the scoring sheets was Gribben with nine points and Guns with seven. Annabelle Kosmecki and Morgan Vanlanen both pitched in six to the effort.

Tigers Defense Shines In Win Over Wildcats

The Lena Wildcats played host to the Gillett Tigers Tuesday night in their M&O Conference opener. Both teams battled to 26-25 halftime score, with Gillett holding the narrow lead. In the second half however, the Tigers held the Wildcats to single digits, going on to win 48-33.

Gillett's Taylor Yonker led the team with 13 points, Willow Pecha and Faith Sorlie each added seven and Karissa Schaal pitched in six. Brianna Slyvester led Lena with a game-high 16 points, including 4 of 4 shooting at the charity stripe. Ally Demmith chipped in 10 points for the Wildcats.

Oneida Nation Runs

Away From STAA in Conference Opener

The St. Thomas Aquinas Academy girl's basketball team was defeated by Oneida Nation, 74-42, in its season-opening game despite 25 points from Alexa Pristelski.

Pristelski made five three-pointers, including four in the first half, to lead the team. Millie Benson scored seven, Livia Benson had four and Halle Beranek scored six.

Oneida Nation had five players in double figures, with Malia Jacobs leading the scoring at 17. Tiara Barber had 16 and Sadie Schuman had 12.

Cougars Win Battle of Cats, Defeat Bobcats

Tuesday evening the Florence Bobcats hosted the M&O Conference's Coleman Cougars in a non-conference contest. Coleman imposed their will in the first half, on their way to a 30-14 lead at halftime. In the second half, Florence outscored Coleman 29-28, but it was too little, too late, Coleman won the contest 58-43.